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5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AUTOMATIC SCALE FOR WEIGHING'GARS AND RECORDING THEWEIGHTS.

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(No Model.) 5 SheetsSheet 2 E. H. AMET. AUTOMATIC SGALEPOR WEIGHING (mesAND RECORDING THE WEIGHTS. No. 392,531. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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E. H. AMET. AUTOMATIC SCALE FOR WEIGHING CARS AND RECORDING THE WEIGHTS.No. 892,581. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

E. H. AMET.

AUTOMATIC SCALE FOR WEIGHING CARS AND RECORDING THE WEIGHTS. No.392,531. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

E. H. AMET. AUTOMATIC SCALE FOR WEIGHING CARS AND RECORDING THE WEIGHTS.No. 892,581. Patented Nov. 6, 1888.

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AUTOMATIC SCALE FOR WElG'rllNG CARS AND RECORDING THE WEIGHTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392,531, dated November6, 18 8.

Application filed March '2, 1888.

To aZZ whom it may concern/.-

Be it known that [EDWARD H. Atrnr, a citizen of the United States,residing in Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Scales for .VeighingCars and Recording the "Weights thereof, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic scales for weighingcars and recording the weights thereof.

'1 e object of my present improvement is to provide means whereby thescale is adapted to weigh railway-cars of different lengths as thesamepass over thescale coupled in a train, and to provide means forquiclilyand easily disconnecting the automatic weighing and re cordingmechanism, so that the scale may be used as an ordinary scale wheneverdesired, and also to further improve the general construction andoperation of my automatic recording and weighing scale, as shown and described in my previous Letters Patent, No. 317,482, May 5, 1885.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,and in which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts, Figure 1is a plan view of a device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is asideelevation ordiagrani view showing the scale-platform and its connectionwith the weighing mechanism. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of thescale-platform. Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the circuit-closingmechanism, which is operated by the carwheel operating-levers on thescale-platform. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the switch, which isturned to the right or left, according as the ears to be weighed areapproaching the scaleplatform from the right or left. Fig. 6 is a planview of the printing or recording lever;

Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6 also together show a diagram of the circuits, theseveral circuits being connected by dotted lines between the severalfigures. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view showing the end of thescale-beam and its variable counterpoise. Fig. 8 is a detail section online 8 8 of Fig. 1, showing in elevation the printing hammer or leverand the magnet for releasing the same. Fig. 9 is a detail front view ofthe printing-hammer. Fig. 10 is a bottom view of the same. Fig. 11 is asection Serial No. 265,965. (No model.)

on line 11 11 of Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is adetail sec tion on line 12 12 ofFig. 11, and Fi 13 is a detail elevation of one of the paper-feedrollers. Fig. 14 is a detail view of the mercury contact, which operatesor releases the paper-feed mechanism. Fig. 15 is a section on line 15 15of 6. Fig. 16 is a section on line 16 16 of Fig. 15. Fig. 1'7 is asection on line 17 17 of 16. 18 is a detail elevation of the clock-workmotor which operates the paper-feed. Fig. 19 is an enlarged detailsection on line 19 19 of Fig. 1, showing the means for connecting anddisconnecting the printing-wheel from the scale-bea Fig. 20 is alongitudinal vertical section on line 20 20 of Fig. 3, and Fig. 21 is asection on line 21 21 of Fig. 3. Fig. 22 is a cross-section of thetype-wheel, and Fig. 23 is a view of a short piece of the paper strip asprinted. Fig. 2% is a detail view of the friction-wheels upon which thetypewheel shaft rests. Fig. 25 is an enlarged view of a portion of thetypewheel, showing the wooden wheel and the metal tire thereon with thetype. Fig. 26 is a detail side elevation of a part hereinafterdescribed.

In said drawings, A represents the scaleplatform, A the track-railsthereon, and A the supplemental or switch track at the side of thetrack-rails A, and mounted upon the rigid or immovable frainetimbers A",so that the track with which the scale-platibrm rails A are connectedmay be used for general purposes without passing the cars over thescaleplatform when desired. lhis results in a considerable saving oftrack-space, the sealeplatform A being bridged by the timber A, uponwhich the rigid track-rail A rests.

13 represents the scale-beam, which is connected in the usual mannerwith the scale platform through scale-levers and connectinglinks. Thisscale-beam is furnished with the usual sliding poises, B, and removablepoiseweights B The scale-beam is furnished at its end with an arm, 6, towhich is connected the variable countcrpoise b by a link, 5. The arm Z)is removably secured to the end of the scale-beam B by bolts 2), so thatthe scalebeani may be readily disconnected from its variablecounterpoise whenever it is desired to weigh in the ordinary manner byuse of the sliding and removable poises B B The va riable counterpoise bpreferably consists of a coil-spring inclosed in a dash-pot cylinder,If, the connecting-link I) being furnished with a disk or piston, biteserve as the dash-pot pis ton. The dash-pot may contain a liquid, or theair may serve as the dash-pot fluid. The arm b is provided with aright-angled arm, b", which projects out laterally from the scalebeamsufficiently to give proper room for the printing-wheel 0 below, withwhich it is connected. The printing-wheel shaft 0 is journaled at eachend on a pair of comparatively large anti-friction wheels,C" 0 (See Fig.16.)

The printing-wheel G is furnished with type c on its periphery, whichare preferably sharpfaced metal type suitable for making an impressionupon the paper by embossing or impression, so that no inking device willbe re quired. The shaft 0 of the printing-wheel is furnished with aspur-gear, c, which meshes with a rack, a, connected by a link, c ,withthe arm I). To diminish the friction of this rack c and keep it properlyin contact with the gear c,Iprovide the friction-roller c, mounted on abracket, 0 Fig. 1.6,attaehed to the frame posts X. The link 0 isconnected to the arm I) by means of a threaded nut, c, and swivelpin 0and spring-pin c", the latter. passing through a suitable hole in theswivelpin 0 Fig. 19. By turning the nut c the type-wheel may be adjustedto stand at the zero-point when the scale is in balance.

The type-wheel shaft 0 is furnished with a cord and weight, 0 tocounterbalance the friction of the raek,gear,and type-wheel shaft, andthus eliminate this source of error. Setscrews 0 are arranged just abovethe typewheel shaft 0 to hold said shaft in place between thefriction-wheels, which constitute its bearing. These set-screws shouldbe so adj usted as not to touch the shaft. By pulling out the spring-pin0 Fig. 19, the typewheel shaft may be disconnected from the scale-beamalmost instantly whenever it is desired to disconnect the printingmechanism from the scale.

The type-wheel C is made of light well-seasoned wood, having a thinmetalband or tire, 0 to which the electrotype strip having thefigure-types c thereon is secured by soldering or otherwise.

The type-wheel 0 projects through a slot or opening, 0, in the box orcase E, inclosing the same,so that the paper strip or ribbon D may befed across the same transversely.

The case or frame E is provided with an elastic pad or cushion, 6, Fig.8, to receive the pointer-mark type f on the impression block or hammerF. The slot 6 is made long enough to allow two or more consecutive typeon the type-wheel to be exposed to the blow of the hammer, the face ofthe hammer F being also,of course,wide enough to impinge the paperagainst two or more consecutive type. The pointer-type f on theimpression or printing hammer produces a point or mark on the strip ofpaper at the true weight, and the relative position of this pointer-markto the numbers printed by the type-wheel on the paper strip willindicate approximately the true weight as a fraction between the numbersprinted on the paper strip. By this means, with a eomparativelylimitednumber of type on the type-wheel, the weight may be indicated to a verysmall fraction of the total number of pounds capable of being weighed bythe particular scale employed. The face of the impression block orhammer F is provided with an elastic strip of rubber, f, or otherelastic material, to prevent injury to the type on the type-wheel andcause the same to make a clear indentation or impression on the paper.The printing-lever F is pivoted at f and is caused to descend to makethe impression by aspring, f. Arubber or other elastic cushion, f,regulates the force of the blow against the type-wheel. Theprinting-lever is held in its elevated position by a spring-pawl, f, towhich is attached an armature, f". A magnet, F, operates to move thepawl and release the printing lever at the proper instant. Theprinting-lever is raised or elevated by a lever, G, pivoted at g to theframe of the machine, which is furnished-with an overhanging springarm,9, that impinges against the impressionlever F. (See Figs. 1 and 8.) Thelever G is operated by a lever, G, which projects in the path of thewheel of the ear,and is located, preferably, at about the middle of thescaleplatform. This lever G is pivoted at g to a case or box, located onthe platform near one of the track-rails A. The lever G is connected tothe lever G by suitable cords, 9", passing over or around pulleys 9 sothat when the first wheel of the car passes over the lever G theprinting-lever will be raised and held in its elevated position, asindicated at Fig. 8, ready to strike the blow the instant the typewheelreaches a balance to indicate the true [10 weight. The spring f holdsthe pawl f in position to engage the impression-lever F the moment saidlever is raised. A spring, 9, serves to retract the lever G out of theway of the printing-lever the moment the wheel passes off the lever G.The wheel-operated lever G is located near the middle of thescale-platform, as indicated in the drawings, so that whether the car bea long one or a short one none of its wheels can stand upon the lever Gat the time the printing-lever should descend to print the weight.

The paper strip or ribbon D is fed from a spool, D, journaled on thestandards d, over suitable tension spools or pulleys, (Z d d (1 d to awinding-spoohD". The winding-spool 13- is operated by a clock-work orspring motor, D", which may be of any well-known or usual construction,Figs. 15 and 18. It should have an escapement, D, to properly regulatethe speed of the paper-feed. The paper-pulley is furnished in its rimwith a recess or opening, at, into which a pin,d projects to-lock orhold the paper-feed mechanism, as is clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12.This pin is furnished with an armature, (Z and is retracted at theproper time by means of a magnet, D Except when the magnet is energizedthe pin (1 is forced against the face of the pulley d by a spring, d.(See Fig. 1.) The diameter of the pulley d determines the length orextent to which the paper strip is fed for each weight printed thereon.

The scale-platform A is furnished near each end with a wheel-operatedlever, a,which projects at the side of the track-rail A, so that thelever will be depressed or operated by the flange ofeach car-wheel asthe car moves onto the scale-platform. These wheel-operated levers a arepivoted in suitable boxes or cases, a, and are connected by lines orcords a passing over pulleys a with a pawl lever, H, through aconnecting springlink, a", and coupling-piece a so that either one ofthe levers a a may be connected with the pawllever H, as desired,according as the train or car to be weighed is approaching from onedirection or the other. The lines or cords a are further furnished eachwith springs a a", which serve to retract or elevate the le vers a a themoment the wheel passes offthe same. The pawl-lever H is furnished witha pivoted pawl, 71, having spring h to hold it in engagement with theratchet K. The pawllever H is pivoted to the frame at 715, and isfurnished with a spring, 71. and with a stopscrew, it, to limit itsupward movement. It also has an adjustable stop-screw, h, to limit itsdownward movement. A check-pawl, h, furnished with a spring, h, servesto hold the ratchet-wheel K from backward movement. The ratchet-wheel Kis furnished with four contact-points, k, equidistant apart, there beingsixteen teeth upon the ratchet-wheel, so that at every fourth impulse ofthe levers a and pawl-lever H the ratchet-wheel will be turnedone-fourth ofa revolution, or sufficient to bring one of the contactskinto connection with the stationary conract-piece 7. and thus close thecircuit N at this point. The electrical connection between the contactsis on the ratchet-wheel and the ring on the shaft of the ratchet-wheelis indicated by the dotted lines If in Fig. 4. The connection betweenthe circuit-wire N and the ring if is through a brush or spring, k". Theother or opposite rail A on the scale platform is furnished near eachend with two long bail-like levers, I, pivoted atp to thescale-platform,and which project in the path of the wheel, so as to beoperated thereby. These bail-levers P are each furnished with an arm orprojection, 12, which operates a movable or spring contact-piece, p", toclose the circuit N at the contact piece 12 The leverp and contacts 19are inclosed in a suitable box, a

R R are double switch-levers, (see Figs. 1 and 5,) which are operated byhand, and which serve to close the circuit N at the fixed contact-pointsr 1' r according as the double switch-lever is shifted to the right orleft, as is shown in Fig. 5.

The bail-levers P are made comparatively long, so that whether the carto be weighed be a long one or a short one the front wheel of the carwill be on the bail-lever P at the end All that is required is that thefront wheel of the car must depress the bail-lever P,and thus close thecircuit N at the time or shortly after the fourth and last wheel of thecar passes the operatinglever a and closes the circuit N at it 7;. Thiscircuit N being thus closed at the two points above named, theprinting-lever operating or releasing magnet F will be energized, andthe printing-lever will be permitted to descend and strike thetype-wheel C. The magnet D which operates the paper-feed pulley, isincludedin a circuit, M, having a battery, l. and which is closed by acontactlever, at, having a contact-pin, m, which makes connection with amercury contact, m (See Fig. 14;.) The lever m is operated by theprinting-lever F, the lever in projecting across the path of saidprinting-lever, as indicated in Fig. (I.

In operation the double switch R R is swu ng to the left, as indicatedin Fig. 5, when the car to be weighed is moving across thescale-platform in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, so asto close the circuit N at the double switch when the bail-lever P isclosed by the front wheel of the carat the farther end of thescale-platform. When the car is up preaching from the oppositedirection, the double switch R will be swung to the left and the springcouplinglink a will be connected with the other coupling-piece, a. Asthe car passes onto the scale-platform each wheel will pass over andoperate the lever a, and thus turn the ratchet-wheel the distance offour teeth, and thereby close the circuit N at I; It. At the same timethe bail-lever P will close the circuit N at p p", and thus energize themagnet F and release the uplifted impressionlever F.

If at any time it is desired to disconnect the automatic printingmechanism from the scale, this may be done either by removing the arm I)from the scale-beam B or by disconnecting the Variable counter-poisetherewith and the printing-wheel O. This facility of connecting IIO ordisconnecting the automatic printing and recording mechanism with theordinary scalebeam is a matter of great convenience, especially where,for any cause, the automatic I mechanism happens to get out of order orthe accuracy of its operation is brought into question.

The type-wheel G is made of light well-seasoned wood, furnished with anelectrotype strip or band, as before described, so that the type-wheelmay have as small an amount of inertia as possible consistent with itsrequisite diameter to afford space for a sufficient number of type onits periphery. By this means I am enabled to produce a very lighttypewheel, and one of sufficient strength or stiffness to properlyresist the blow of the printing lever or hammer, and I am thus enabledto produce much more accurate results in recording the true weight thancould be done if a metallic wheel were employed.

In operation when a very long carsay a thirty-four-foot car-conpled in atrain is being weighed it will simultaneously close the circuit by itsfront and rear wheels, simultaneously operating both the. levers P anda. \Vhen-a very short car coupled in a train is being weighed-say atwenty-eight-foot carits last wheel operates the lever 66 and closes thecircuit at one point before the preceding car has entirely left thescale-platform. The short car then advances a distance of four or fivefeet before its front wheel operates the lever P and closes the circuitat the other point. The lever P will, however, in this case be operatedbefore the succeeding car in the train touches the scale-platform. Thelevers a and P are so located on the scale-platform and the length ofthe long lever P so adjusted or determined that the shortest car will.not, by its last wheel, operate the lever 66 until after the last wheelof the preceding car passes off of the lever P. It will thus be seenthat short or long cars can be weighed with equal facility.

The copper electrotype band 0 of the printing-wheel O is coated on theoutside with nickel by electroplating in order to harden and givegreater strength and body to the type. By making the type on anelectrotype strip of copper or like soft metal I am enabled very easilyto properly adjust the position of the type in respect to each other andin relation to the counterpoise-spring, so that each type or figure willbe in the right place to indicate the true weight. This I do by simplystretching the electrotype strip 0 in such parts as may be required,thus securing the relative distance between the type-figures thereon.

In car-scales I usually provide the typewheel with figures toindicate'only the number ofhundreds ofpounds,the units and tens placesbeing omitted. The pointer-typef will indi cate with approximateaccuracy the fraction of the hundred pounds.

I claim 1. The combination, in a printing or recording scale, of thescale-beam and variable counterpoise,with a type-wheel connected withand operated by the scalcbeam, an impression block or hammer, and adash-pot and its piston connected with the type-wheel for regulating themovement of the type-wheel and holding the same stationary at the truebalance during the printing operation, substantially, as specified.

2. The combination,in an electric printingscale for weighingrailroad-cars, of the scaleplatfornl having trackrails thereon with along lever parallel to one of the traclrrails, an electric circuit andelectric printing mechanism, and a pair of contact-points closed by saidlever when depressed by the front wheel of the car, substantially asspecified.

3. The combination, in an automatic electric scale for weighingrailroad-cars, with the scaleplatform having track-rails thereon,of theelectric circuit and electric printing mechanism, mechanism for closingthe electric circuit when the last wheel of the car passes onto thescaleplatform, and a long bail-lever for holding said circuit closed bythe front wheel of the car, substantially as specified.

4. The combination, in an electric printing weighing-scale, with thescale-beam, type-wheel connected therewith, printing-levers, and thescale-platform having track-rails thereon, of a wheel'operated lever inthe middle of the scaleplatform for raising the printing-lever, andmechanism operated by the last wheel of the car as it passes onto thescale-platform for closing an electric circuit to release theprintinglever, substantially as specified.

5. The combination, in an automatic printing weighing-scale, of thescale-platform having track-rails thereon with the printing mechanism,and a wheel-operated lever, G, adjacent to the track-rail and near themiddle of the scaleplatform for giving motion to the a ing-lever, thescale-platform, the wheel-operated lever on the scale-platform forraising the printing-lever, and a pawl for holding it in its elevatedposition until ready for printing, and mechanism operated or controlledby the passage of the lastwheel of the car onto the scaleplatform forreleasing the printing-lever, so that its spring may cause it to strikethe blow against the printing wheel, substantially as specified.

8. The combination,in a railroad-car weighing-scale, of thescaleplatform A, having track-rails A thereon, with track-rails A at theside of the track-rails A, rigidly supported, one of said track-rails Abridging the scale-platform, substantially as specified.

9. The combination of the weighing-scale platform A, having track-railsA, an electric circuit, the operating-lever a for closing said electriccircuit, and a bail-lever, P, at the opposite end of the scale-platformfor closing the tciirguit at another point, substantially as speci- 10.The combination of weighing-scale platform A, track-rails A thereon, anelectric circuit, the operating-levers a a, one at each end of the scaleplatform for closing said electric circuit, and operating-levers l? P,for closing said circuit at another point, and a switch, 11 R, forcausing the circuit to be closed by one or the other of said levers P I,according as the car to be weighed approaches from one direction or theother, substantially as specified.

11. The combination of the scale-platform A and track-rails A thereon,car-wheel-op eratcd lever a, pawl-lever H, and a line and pulleysconnecting the same with said lever a, the ratchet-wheel K, havingcontacts k at intervals for closing an electric circuit, aprinting-wheel connected to the scale-beam, a printing-lever, acar-wheel-operated lever on the scale-platform for raising theprinting-lever in an elevated position, and a magnet included in thecircuit closed by said contacts I; for releasing said printing-lever,substantially as specified.

12. The combination of the scale-platform A and track-rails A thereon,car-wheel-operated lever to, pawl-lever H, and a line and pulleysconnecting the same with said lever a, the ratchetwheel K, havingcontacts I; at intervals for closing an electric circuit, aprinting-wheel connected to the scale-beam,a printing-lever, acar-wheel-operated lever on the scale-platform -for raising theprintingdever in an elevated position, and a magnet included in thecircuit closed by said contacts It for releasing said printing-lever,and a wheel-operated bail-lever, P, at the opposite end of thescale-platform for simultaneously closing said electric circuit atanother point, substantially as specified.

13. The combination, in an automatic electric weighing-scale, of theelectric circuit,with the scale-platform, a wheel-operated lever forclosing the electric circuit by the last wheel of the car as it passesonto the scaleplatform, and a wheel-operated lever near the opposite endof the scale-platform for simultaneously closing said circuit by thefront wheel of the car, substantially as specified.

11 In an automatic printing weighingscale, the scale-platform A,furnished with track-rails A and with car-wheel-operated levers forcontrolling the operation of the printing mechanism located at or neareach end of the scale-platform, so that one of said levers will beoperated by the last wheel of the car and the other by the front wheelof the car, whereby the scale-platform is adapted to weigh long or shortcars while coupled in a train and passing over the scale-platlbrm,substantially as specified.

15. The combination,in an automatic weigh ing and printing scale, withthe scale-beam and variable counter-poise, of a wooden typewheelconnected with the scalebeam and adjusted or controlled thereby,andhaving a thin metal band furnished with type, whereby the error due tothe inertia of a heavy type-wheel is eliminated, substantially asspecified.

16. The combination, inan automatic print ing weighing-scale, with thescalebeam and variable counterpoise, of a wooden type-whcel connectedwith the scale-beam and adjusted or controlled thereby, and having anelectrotype peripheral face, whereby the error due to the inertia of aheavy type-wheel is eliminated, substantially as specified.

17. The combination, with the scale-beam B, of the laterally-projectingarm I), type-wheel O, and a connecting-link detachably secured to saidlaterally-projecting arm, substantially as specified.

18. The combination, with scale-beam B, of the type-wheel G,connecting-link c adjusting-nut c", and swivel 0', connected to saidscale-beam, substantially as specified.

EDYVARD H. AMET.

Witnesses:

H. M. DIUNDAY, EDMUND ADCOOJC.

